Turks and Caicos based InterCaribbean Airways is expanding regional service out of its Barbados hub, adding capacity to Grenada as well as launching new flights to St. Kitts and Nevis.
Grenada Sees Expanded ATR Service
Grenada (GND) will benefit from expanded service as the airline has added their new ATR 42-500 to the route. Of the nine weekly flights between Grenada and Barbados (BGI), eight of them will be operated by their newly acquired 48 seater ATR. The remaining ninth flight will still be covered by the smaller Embraer EMB 120.
With regards to this change, the airline’s CEO said, “InterCaribbean is dedicated to performing its critical role in the development of the economies of the region and the enrichment of the lives of its citizens by ensuring connectivity. Our partnership with Grenada is borne out of our desire to serve the needs of the people by exceeding their travel expectations. Grenada has a creative economy that thrives on its tourism and its educational services—all attractive to the would-be traveller. InterCaribbean is proud of its accomplishments in helping to further government’s thrust to develop these and other areas. There is power and prosperity in partnership.”
New Route To St. Kitts and Nevis from Barbados
InterCaribbean will also add three weekly flights between Barbados and St. Kitts (SKB) starting on March 22, 2023. The route will be operated with their smaller 30-seater Embraer EMB 120ER turboprop aircraft on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The newest route was announced at a cocktail party held at the Hilton Barbados Resort where the airline also celebrated its official launch in August 2020.
Lyndon Gardiner, Chairman of interCaribbean Airways, in his remarks to the gathering, stated, “We are thrilled to celebrate our continued expansion into the Eastern Caribbean with our partners, the St Kitts Tourism Authority and Barbados Tourism Marketing INC. (BTMI). Prime Minister Mottley, and Prime Minister Dr. Drew, I commend your vision and your political will to answer the call of the region’s people. Indeed, you give meaning to the African proverb, which says “if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Your stewardship ensures that together, we are going places, and connecting the region—one island, one partnership, one vision at a time.”
ATR Expansion
InterCaribbean is steadily gaining footing in the Eastern Caribbean, and will support its expansion with the lease of two additional ATR 42-500s as well as an ATR 72-500. These new turboprops are set to replace its older and lower capacity Embraer EMB 120s.
With expansion plans in mind, InterCaribbean may face a new threat as Caribbean Airlines is also set to ramp up expansion plans in the region. Caribbean has leased three additional ATR 72-600s, which will be used to add more capacity to both its regional and domestic routes, as well as open up new markets further west. Destination details are still very limited at this time, but Caribbean will see its first delivery on April 20th, with the remaining two leases flying in in May.
[Featured Photo: InterCaribbean Airways]